Keep Your Dog Safe This Christmas: Learn How to Protect Your Dog From Top Holiday Hazards

The holidays are supposed to be a joyous time for the whole family - and that, of course, includes your dog. Since you spend all year looking out for the health and safety of your dog, it’s important to recognize the extra hazards that pop up during the holiday season. From toxic plants to decorations that damage, a little precaution is needed to ensure things go smoothly. Recognizing the dangers, and having the tools required to deal with them, such as a DIY dog fence, is all that’s needed, so here’s what you need to know to have a happy holiday season.

Toxic Holiday Plants
Mistletoe, poinsettia, and holly are common holiday plants, but they are also toxic to dogs. When buying these for your home, go for the artificial versions. If someone gives you one of these plants, place it in a spare room that the dog doesn’t enter. Placing the plants high out-of-reach isn’t always enough, because your dog could eat fallen leaves faster than you can pick them up.

Things to Do On a Long Walk

People today are more health conscious than in the past. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to take long walks on a daily basis. You can even make this time more interesting and consistent by following a few ideas suggested below.

Read
Ever wish you could find the time to read the latest bestseller? Your daily walk could be an ideal time. Today, it is easier than ever to download audio books for use on your iPod or phone. Libraries also offer audio books for free on CD.

Race Report: Rock & Root 30k

The second running of the Rock & Root 30k by the guys at Peak Mountain Sports went down at Haw Ridge Park in Oak Ridge, TN back on August 29. Yeah I know what you're thinking, wait long enough to write a report? Yeah,well when you're training for events you don't have time to blog, haha. I have to say that the Rock & Root is probably one of my favorite trail races and for a number of reasons.

The course is challenging to say the least. The Peak guys changed it up a little this year and added some extra vertical gain. There's one climb in particular called the Hill of Truth (H.O.T.) and in late August it's definitely HOT. It's a loop course and you have to run it twice. Thankfully, there is an aid station at the top of the climb put on by the Hill of Truth Hooligans. I'm always glad to reach this aid station because not only do they have water and/or electrolytes, they usually have some other libations if you so desire if you catch my drift. I call it motivation for getting up the hill.

Gear Review: Thule Capstone 32L Backpack

Some of you might have heard and even seen that Thule (luggage and car roof rack giants extraordinaire) has started making backpacks for outdoor adventures. That's right, the brand that dominates the "on top of your car" bicycle rack world and apparently luggage world has entered the outdoor scene on a new avenue. They have two new style packs that just recently launched and I was fortunate enough to be given an opportunity to try one out...The Thule Capstone (32L edition).

Upon arrival, I could tell this was more than just a day pack, indeed it could also be used as an adventure pack and even an overnight lightweight backpack. I couldn't wait to get it out in the field for testing but alas, wait I would have to do. Fortunately I didn't have to wait to long to really put it to the test.

Gear Review: Munk Pack Oatmeal Pouch

As an ultra marathon trail runner, I'm always looking for ways to refuel during my long training runs. We're talking runs that are anywhere from 10 to 30 miles. I'm always trying new things during my training so that come race day, I have everything dialed in and I know that what I put in my body will cooperate under that kind of physical stress.

A month or more ago, the folks at Munk Pack asked if I'd like to give their squeezable oatmeal a spin. I jumped at the opportunity. It was something new to me. Usually it's either, waffles, gels, chews, or granola bars that get me through my long runs. Having oatmeal on the trail sounds like a dream come true. It wasn't long before the squeezable pouches of heaven arrived on our doorstep.

Be Unique with Keen's UNEEK Open Air Footwear Review

I have a serious obsession with all things sandals, flip-flops, and barely-there footwear. So when Keen approached me asking to review the new Women's Uneek Open Air Footwear, I jumped - literally! - at the opportunity to give them a try.

My Keen Newports are my absolute favorite shoes on the face of this planet. I've had them for years now, and they have been everywhere with me: from the tops of mountains, to creekbeds, to sandy shores, to muddy garden beds, and endless grassy fields. You name it, they've been there! And they are still in glorious shape - considering what I've put them through.

Needless to say, I was pretty excited about the new Keen UNEEK's - an open air shoe/sandal made from a sole and two pieces of polyester braided cord intricately intertwined to form the body of the shoe - striking shock and awe the hearts of all solve-the-maze lovers, self-proclaimed origami experts, and the never ending curiosity of *those people* that can't help but take things apart (points at herself). -I have not ripped apart the shoes yet, just because they are SOOOO cool... not because I'm any less tempted to.

Race Report:2015 KTC Lakeshore Trail Trek Marathon

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to run in another one of the Knoxville Track Club's trail series races, The Lakeshore Trail Trek Marathon. This was the first year for the marathon. Last year I ran this same trail race but the long distance portion was a brutal for me 16 miler as I went out to fast and struggled to finish after about 7 miles. Needless to say, after a few more races and again struggling this year in some of them due to starting out too fast, I finally wised up and took things slow.

This was a big race for me. Albeit I've run in a handful for 50k's up to this point as well as a 12 hour race in which I ran a little over 50 miles in under the 12 hour time, this would be the first time I had attempted a marathon, on trails no less, since my first ever debacle attempt, back in the day when I was in the Navy and thought it would be fun to run a road marathon. Needless to say, I only made it 16 miles that day when my legs said eff you buddy and decided they would not take another step forward. (as an aside, I had never trained for the marathon then and the night before I got pretty liquored up on Tekillya. Not making excuses or anything, but seriously I had no business attempting that Shamrock Marathon in Va. Beach back in 1994).

Gear Review: Outad 2 in 1 Bluetooth Speaker and LED Lamp

Have you ever found yourself around the campfire or out by the grill wishing you could crank your playlist louder? Let's face it, the volume on your smart phone really isn't that loud especially when you're outside. Enter the Outad 2 in 1 Bluetooth Speaker and LED Lamp. This little baby has what you need when you're outdoors and want to crank that playlist for everyone's enjoyment out on the deck, around the grill, the pool, or campfire.

This little speaker packs a punch and has great range too. You can pair any Bluetooth capable device from up to 33 feet away and the loudness factor is pretty loud without loosing clarity. To top that off, as the sun starts to go down, this little gem has a LED lantern that is rather bright and can keep the party going through the night with 120 lumens of brightness.

Xterra Knoxville 2015 Is Coming Soon

Below is the press release from Dirty Bird Events about Xterra Knoxville Trail Run and Triathlon:

"Dirty Bird Events to host “Xterra Knoxville” Saturday and Sunday June 6-7, 2015 at Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness 

May 8, 2015

Image Courtesy of: Dirty Bird Events

XTERRA Knoxville Trail Race – June 6 @ 9:00 am
XTERRA Knoxville Triathlon – June 7 @ 8:00 am

Ijams Nature Center (Mead's Quarry)
2915 Island Home Way
Knoxville, TN 37920

Event Description

Gear Review: Body Glide

In the majority of the races I run, blisters and chaffing are rarely a concern for me. Anything under a marathon in normal temps/climes I never have to worry about things rubbing and causing issues, think shirt on nipples, inner thighs rubbing, your feet, etc. However, each time I've taken a foray into the ultra running world or one of the smaller trail races with weather or water on course, I will usually end up with something chaffing or blisters on my feet. Let's face it, if you rub a prune against something long enough, it's skin will rip open.

So what's a guy (or gal for that matter) to do on race day when weather is imminent or you are going to sweet like a stuck pig and you know things are going to rub? You reach for some kind of lubricant, much like greasing up parts on your car because metal rubbing against metal for too long might cause some fire.